Whale and Dolphin Watching

Boat trips out to the resident pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins

Small boats leave the harbour throughout the day on two to three hour trips out into the strait. Sightings of pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins are almost guaranteed; sperm whales, fin whales, and even orcas pass through at certain times of year. Operators range from quiet sailboats to larger catamarans; the smaller ones are better for actually hearing the whales blow.

Avoid any boat that approaches the animals closely or charges them at speed — responsible operators keep a respectful distance, cut engines, and let the whales come to them. Prices are typically 25 to 40 euros for the standard trip. Mornings tend to be calmer than afternoons.

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The waters between Tenerife and La Gomera hold one of Europe's most stable populations of short-finned pilot whales — around 350 animals live here year-round, plus visiting fin whales, sperm whales, and orcas. The area was given EU Whale Heritage Site status in 2021.